Provost Jim Maher delivered the
Council charge.He asked the Council to:

continue to sponsor the Multidisciplinary Small Grant Program and Central
Research Development Fund.

work with faculty members from the humanities disciplines to increase
postdoctoral funding.

continue to sponsor the annual Federal Agencies Trip, which enables the
University’s faculty members to interact with project managers from
various federal agencies.

create a process through which we can identify future, cutting-edge
research questions and the individuals at the University who are best
equipped to address them.

continue to invite speakers from research-related administrative units to
address the Council.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research is increasingly emphasized
at universities.The University of Pittsburgh
organized many previously existing undergraduate research fairs so that they
take place concurrently.The University also
developed a website that serves as a focal point for undergraduate research (http://www.pitt.edu/~ugr/index.html).Undergraduate research is now highlighted in
recruiting material.

Corporate Scholars Program

The Corporate Scholars Program is
designed to enhance collaboration between the University and industry.Under the program, a faculty member forms a collaborative
research relationship with a company, which sponsors the work of one of its researchers
in the faculty member’s lab.The Program
was initiated with start-up funding from the Heinz Endowments.

Council members discussed several
other issues related to University-industry relationships.Topics included: